Ex-McCotter aide gets probation in scandal that cost congressman spot on the ballot

Jul. 23, 2013

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Detroit Free Press Staff Writer

Mary Turnbull, an aide to former U.S. Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, will serve two years of probation her role in a petition fraud scandal that cost the congressman his spot on the ballot.

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An aide to former U.S. Congressman Thaddeus McCotter will serve two years of probation, perform 200 hours of community service and pay $1,440 in fines and costs for her role in a petition fraud scandal that cost the congressman his spot on the ballot.

Mary Turnbull, 59, of Howell, this morning, told Oakland County Circuit Judge Leo Bowman that she was sorry for what she had done.

“I sincerely regret my actions,” Turnbull said, her voice cracking. “I would like to apologize to the office of Attorney General. Throughout my life, I have tried to do the right thing.”

Her attorney, Leon Weiss, told the court Turnbull had moved out of McCotter’s Congressional district and mistakenly believed that precluded her from circulating petitions on behalf of his candidacy. After she had gathered signatures, she asked a supervisor whether she could have someone who lives in the district sign the sheets as the circulator. She was told yes, Weiss said.

“She made a mistake,” Weiss said. “She didn’t mean to break the law, but she stands ready to accept full responsibility.”

In May, Turnbull pleaded no contest to submitting falsified nominating petitions and conspiracy. Weiss said she had never been in trouble before, and he’s confident she’ll be a model probationer.

Turnbull was one of four members of McCotter’s staff originally charged with a total of 13 felonies and 21 misdemeanors in the scandal that investigators said involved submitting doctored petitions to qualify him for the 2012 ballot.

The falsified petitions cost McCotter, a five-term Republican from Livonia, a spot on the 2012 ballot. McCotter ended up resigning from the seat July 2, nearly six months shy of the end of his official term. His seat was eventually won by current Congressman Kerry Bentivolio.

Bowman noted McCotter suffered the most direct loss because of the crime, but said the damage went beyond one race.

“The entire democratic process is impacted by your actions,” Bowman said. “It leads directly to citizens not having confidence in this process, and the measure of that is incalculable. People have to believe and trust this process. If not, everything fails.”